by David Ranera, Sales Director, PAYPER, Spain
The petfood industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by a rising global pet population and an increasing number of pet owners who prioritise the quality and safety of their pets’ food. This shift has fuelled the demand for premium petfood, requiring the packaging industry to develop specialised solutions that ensure product preservation, convenience, and visual appeal.
Premium dry kibbles, in particular, require carefully designed packaging to maintain quality, extend shelf life, and meet consumer expectations. Key considerations include dosage accuracy, the size and weight of the filled bag, product preservation, shelf presentation and the need for re-sealability—all of which influence the choice of the most suitable packaging system.
With over 50 years of experience in the market, PAYPER specialises in designing and manufacturing comprehensive, customised bagging lines. Their projects include dosing, weighing, bag filling, palletizing, and wrapping equipment, all tailored to meet customer needs.
The company offers six fully automatic models capable of reaching speeds of up to 1800 bags per hour. Each bagging machine is configured with various stations that incorporate processes based on customer requirements. This article explores PAYPER’s packaging solutions designed to meet the demanding standards of the pet food industry.
The bag format: measurements and materials
Dry kibble is usually packaged in large bags made from laminated polypropylene or polyethylene, which offer durability and protection against moisture and pests. This packaging helps maintain freshness and crunchiness while preventing spoilage and contamination.
Bag sizes vary widely, typically ranging from 5kg to 20kg. However, a growing trend shows an increasing demand for small bags under 5kg. Larger bags are ideal for pet owners with multiple pets or those who prefer buying in bulk.
Thus, one of the main challenges for petfood manufacturers is finding versatile equipment that enables quick and efficient switching between the diverse range of products they need to bag. PAYPER bagging machines offer effortless bag changes, with an automatic adjustment system that allows for a smooth transition between different bag types and sizes. This feature enhances operational efficiency and flexibility, seamlessly accommodating various packaging requirements.
To increase the autonomy of the bagging machine, PAYPER offers a horizontal empty bag storage system. This magazine allows for storing up to six stacks of bags.
Before the bag is sealed at the welding station, an alignment system ensures the bag’s mouth is perfectly levelled, allowing for precise sealing at the very top with a flawless finish. If needed, the welding station can also perform a double seal.
Precise dosing and weighing
The MSX by PAYPER is one of the most accurate dynamic weighing controllers in the bagging industry. Accredited by official metrology institutions, it is specifically developed for the bagging process. It guarantees high levels of accuracy even at high production speeds, ensuring an optimal bagging result. In addition, the most suitable dosing system is chosen in line with the product characteristics.
Product protection
Technologies such as residual air extraction and de-aeration remove excess air from packaging, creating compact and stable bags. This process can also involve replacing the air with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to further preserve the product. By preventing oxidation and spoilage, these technologies enhance product quality, extend shelf life, and improve product presentation.
Another protective technology in the bagging process is double-bag sealing, which involves sealing the bag twice to ensure an airtight closure. This method adds an extra layer of protection against contamination and moisture, keeping the kibble fresh for an extended period.
Quality control process
Quality standards and requirements of petfood industry, very similar to those of the food industry, require strict inspection of the packaged product. Various devices are used for this purpose, such as Check Weighers, Metal Detectors, and Bag Rejectors. These devices are integrated into the packaging line to ensure the quality and safety of the product. The check weigher verifies the weight of each bag, the metal detector scans for any metal contaminants, and the bag rejector removes any bags that do not meet the required standards.
These technologies ensure that only high-quality, safe products reach the consumer, enhancing the brand’s reputation and consumer trust.
Ensuring perfect presentation when palletizing
In addition to advanced bagging technologies, efficient palletizing systems play a crucial role in the petfood industry. These systems ensure precise handling of packaged products throughout the palletizing process.
Both robotic and conventional palletizers, equipped with gripper heads, are designed for optimal and gentle handling. The high-speed palletizer, featuring a telescopic belt feeder and a specialized gripper head, carefully and accurately manages bags during the fast-palletizing process.
Gentle handling ensures impeccable presentation, preserving the integrity of both the packaging and the product inside while creating a perfectly square, highly stable pallet.
Pallet protection
After the bagging and palletizing processes are complete, the final step before storage and transportation is securing the pallets. A stretch hood system or an automatic wrapping machine is ideal for this purpose. These methods ensure optimal pallet stability during transport while effectively protecting the bags from humidity, UV rays, and dust.
PAYPER
PAYPER is a leading manufacturer of complete bagging lines with extensive experience in the petfood industry. Their solutions are designed to accommodate a wide variety of bag types and sizes, including those with zippers, sliders, and Velcro closures, ensuring both flexibility and efficiency in the packaging process. This versatility enables petfood manufacturers to offer diverse packaging options to their customers.
See more at www.payper.com
Published in the April 2025 issue of International Petfood